DOZENS of new homes will not be built on the edge of the Quantock Hills following a decision by planning officers.

F. & G. Jeanes & Sons Ltd. applied to Sedgemoor District Council in March 2023 for permission to build 83 homes and a retail outlet north of the A39 Long Cross, in Nether Stowey.

Following feedback from local consultees, the Cannington-based company submitted revised proposals, reducing the number of homes to 57 and altering the layout accordingly.

But Somerset Council (which replaced the district council in April 2023) has ruled these plans are still “unacceptable”, citing a lack of contribution to local services and impact on the local environment.

The site lies on the northern edge of the Quantock Hills national landscape, which is formerly known as an area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB, on the main road between Bridgwater and Minehead.

The development would have been delivered less than a mile from the Cricketer Farm site, where 109 homes are currently being constructed by Strongvox Homes – with a further 58 homes being granted permission in June.

Access would have been provided at a new junction linking the A39 to the south eastern corner of the site, near where the planned retail outlet would have been sited.

Of the 57 homes planned under the revised proposals, 23 would have been affordable – meeting the council’s 40 per cent target for any new development of ten homes or more.

A spokesman for Focus On Design (representing the developer) said: “A high-quality, responsive and sustainable development is achievable and deliverable on this site.

“The development proposals fully accord with national planning policy, and there are no adverse impacts arising from the proposals that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits this development will deliver.”

The plans were refused by the council’s planning officers through their delegated powers, rather than a public decision by its planning committee north (which handles major applications within the former Sedgemoor area).

The council provided the following six reasons for refusal:

  • The development “does not fulfil a defined housing need” and does not deliver prioritised infrastructure – therefore it does not meet the criterion of “exceptional” circumstances
  • The application has not demonstrated the need for the retail outlet and has not shown that this commercial need “could not be fulfilled in existing facilities in the village”
  • The proposal will “result in a substantial urbanising effect” of the edge of the Quantock Hills without mitigating the existing sewer easement at the site’s western edge
  • The location of the sewer easement means that a landscaping buffer (with trees and other planting) “cannot be implemented”, harming local bat populations
  • The developer has provided “insufficient information” on how any impacts on local heritage assets will be mitigated
  • The plans do not include secured financial contributions for a toucan crossing over the A39, affordable housing, a play area or local health services

The developer has not yet indicated whether they will appeal the officers’ decision.